Event Details

Doing Business in the USA is the essential conference for Founders, CEOs and C-level executives from around the world who are planning to enter or expand their business in North America. Set on the first day of SXSW Interactive, it provides a comprehensive view of industry trends, investment, legal, tax and regional opportunities with a mix of expert speakers, case studies and candid Q&As.

What You Will Learn

Digital industry trends, tips and analysis

Understanding US business culture and how to win business

Industry geography and where to open an office

Staying legal, protecting IP, corporate structures

Where to find investment and making sure it’s the right type

Immigration, visas and the right options for your firm

Hiring and firing staff, plus office logistics

The benefits of meeting other international SXSW delegates

Agenda

9:00am - Doors Open & Registration

9:50am - Introduction

An introduction to the day’s proceedings from conference organisers SXSW and Chinwag.

10:00am - Welcome to Austin

Austin: home of SXSW and a thriving tech industry. A welcome from the City and an introduction to the local digital scene from the Mayor’s Office and Adriana Cruz, Austin Chamber of Commerce.

10:15am - Geography Lessons: Silicon Alley to Silicon Valley

The United States is a huge country with an equally huge variation in its digital sector. What are the trends across the country? Where should firms look to set up? Startups in San Francisco, advertising & marketing in New York, game companies in Austin?

This session brings together industry experts from across the US to share their insight on the trends, opportunities and regional specialities.

Using real-world examples and avoiding legal jargon, the legal eagles will provide a checklist of the vital legal steps to starting your US business.

12:25pm - US Immigration for Digital Entrepreneurs

Resident alien? Non-resident alien? It’s not sci-fi, it’s immigration! Setting up in the US involves living and working in the country for a while, possibly permanently. Cut through the red tape with expert advice.

12:45pm - Lunch

Time for a break. Meet, chat and network over lunch.

Lunch and drinks will be provided by, the law firm Rooney PC, founded by Allan Rooney, who will be leading the legal and immigration conversation at the event.

1:45pm - Shifting Units & Making Noise: Sales & Marketing in the US

The scale of the US market provides great opportunities but also some big challenges: how to stand out from the crowd and close those all-important sales.

This session will go behind the culture of how US companies do business. Whether targeting a business or consumer market, pitching large corporates, finding partners, attracting media or building social capital, discover how to build relationships, trust and sales.

2:45pm - Show Me The Money: VCs, Angels & Investment

In Q4 2012, the US venture funds raised over $20bn. The appetite for investment is what attracts so many startups and overseas firms to the US and why some of the leading firms are almost household names. In startup households, at least.

What are investors looking for and what can they offer? What’s the best approach and what are the latest trends? Which type of investment and investor works best? Pick the brains of the people behind the money.

3:45pm - Break

4:15pm - Tales from the Trenches: Case Studies

What’s the inside story? What worked? What didn’t? How much did it cost? How long did it take? What was the planning process? Big challenges breed tough questions.

The best answers come from from those who’ve been there, seen it, done it and prospered. Bringing together entrepreneurs who have who have successfully expanded their business to the US, hear the warts’n’all reality, the tips, tricks and workarounds, the pitfalls and possibilities. Each founder will share their story with plenty of time for an extended Q&A.

5:30pm - Close & Networking Drinks

Supported by the Austin Chamber of Commerce, the post-summit networking drinks is an opportunity to talk, connect and network with fellow delegates, speakers and some of Austin’s leading tech firms over a few drinks. Meet with 100+ world-class international entrepreneurs and business founders facing similar challenges in developing business in the US.

For those with a SXSW Interactive badge, kick off the Interactive Festival with a bang at this unforgettable truly interactive party experience brought to you by the creative geniuses at frog design and Microsoft.

Tickets are available for only $129. Discounts are available for groups, please contact us for details. You MUST be a SXSW Interactive, Film, Music, Gold or Platinum registrant to attend the "Doing Business in the USA" summit.